The Start of Change

Some things are better left for dreams than for reality. Most of us wile our time away day-dreaming of completely different things from what we are given. Although some might call such behavior nothing but foolishness, I beg to differ. It's merely a break from the scorching monotony of life and to a world that packs a little more...adventure. I wasn't exactly sure, waking up that morning to the dark scarlet overtones of my curtains reflected on the walls if that was what the entirety of last night had been. Nothing more than a dream. That is, until, I felt a warm body shift against my back and mumble a sleepy 'good morning'. Definitely not a dream.

I shut my eyes at once and pretended to be sleeping, making my breaths even despite my raging heart. Last night had been 100% real. Leo spending the night on my bedroom floor was real. Him kissing me...real.

Crud!

I was never trained for waking up to circumstances like these. Sure, I'd often spend my night thinking up ridiculous ideas like how to be prepared for war or a zombie outbreak but this?! Kissing a boy? It had completely slipped my mind!

"May?"

Leo's gruff voice near my ear, his breath on my neck...it did things to me. Like make my heart beat wild inside my chest, feel the blush spreading through my face – all those things I'd see Amy read about in her cheesy, romantic flicks.

Oh, I might just vomit.

A warm hand descended on the crook of my shoulder and I nearly shot up. Steadying my breath, I let out a loud, over-the-top yawn and turned around, pretending to blink sleep away from my eyes.

"Leo," I muttered, sleepy and completely masking the utter chaos reigning my heart. His blonde hair kissed by the rays of the sun was ruffled in the most beautiful way. His sapphire blue eyes seemed hazy as he actually seemed to be fighting sleep as he had rolled himself to his side to look at me, a small smile etched on his lips.

"Morning," he said, the smile widening as did his eyes at the sight of me. "Last night was...something."

"Sure was." I smiled back at him and nothing about my actions was forced this time as I shifted a little closer to Leo who watched my movements, making no move to stop them. "Would never have placed you for a hogger, Leo," I said, smirking up at him and gesturing at the blanket he'd somehow robbed me off midway through the night.

"Oh. Uh. Yeah." Was he blushing? "Why? Are you feeling cold?"

Before I could even answer, Leo looped an arm around my waist and pulled me to his side till we were chest to chest, once again mirroring our position last night. It would be a complete and utter lie to say that I didn't enjoy our closeness but panic was the first thing to set in this time as one thought whirled around my mind in capital letters: the possibility of a little friend called morning breath.

"We should probably go downstairs," I said slowly, like a child trying to spell out the alphabet.

"Is it a compulsion?" Leo smiled down at me. "Or is this you trying to get away from me again?"

"A little both of both," I answered honestly. I could smell the smoke from the kitchen practically seeping right through the floor and into my room. Dad was making a mess of breakfast. He wasn't so good at the cooking front. But really, that was just my excuse to want to get away from this...whatever this was now.

Leo watched me silently as I put up no fight against him to break free from his arms. He watched me, with the same look he had had in his eyes before I dozed off in his arms after a long night of kisses, secret whispers and laughs and a final bid goodnight. And once again, I couldn't help but fall into those fathomless blue depths, surrendering myself to what they held and no longer wanting to question what this was.

He was the first to break away but just enough to press a small, fluttering kiss against my forehead and then again lower, my cheek before settling his face against the crook of my neck. I nearly shuddered visibly when he pressed his lips along my collarbone, not in a lustful sort of way but almost...fragile. I could have sworn that Leo whispered something into my skin before he drew away completely, enough for me to learn how to breathe again.

I watched a little stunned as he turned his back on me and grabbed his shirt lying on the back of the chair not too far away, shrugging it on. I would have been more fascinated by the show of a half-naked Leo Harper (which was a delicious sight, no less) if not for the fact that I was still dumbstruck by the show of affection he'd shown me just then.

What does Leo mean to me? I had never quite gotten around to answering that question last night as Leo had so kindly interrupted with his mouth (not that I minded the slightest bit). But now, I wanted to ask him. Especially since he was making it a point of not turning my way.

"Leo?"

"Why don't I meet you downstairs?" he suggested, still not turning to face me. "I deduce your dad needs you by that smoke-smell coming from downstairs."

He could use fancy-ass words like 'deduce' for an eighteen year old but not look at me. Sure. That was fair. With a silent nod of acceptance that Leo couldn't see, I got up and slowly padded my way out the room wearing my flip-flops. Halfway downstairs, I fixed a wide smile on my face that soon distorted into a grimace as I turned down the hall, and into the open kitchen.

"May! A little help?"

"A little?" I rolled my eyes at my dad as I hurried into the kitchen area, immediately turning the knob on the stove to the lowest flame. "Were you trying to burn the house down?"

"On the contrary," my dad started, holding the hanky he'd tied around his face like some kind of cook-slash-ninja, "I was trying to cook some bacon. Damn thing was taking too long so I set the flame a little high."

"You set it to the max!"

He grunted and looked down at me, somewhat amused, somewhat ashamed. "I was hungry."

"You have the capacity of a five year old, you know that?" I shook my head to myself and bumped my hip against his gently, scooting him out from anywhere near the stove. "Out of my way, I'll show you how it's done."

Dad merely leaned against the kitchen counter with his arms folded. Once the burnt-bacon smell passed out of the air, he took off his kerchief and watched me cook with a small smile on his face that grew with each second. While cooking the bacon, I simultaneously got bread toasted, glasses filled with juice, and the table set up. All the while, my dad tutted to himself under his breath, something about how I'd make a perfect housewife and I responded by shooting him a warning glare.

Once the table was completely set and the plates of bacon and toast were at the center, I let out a sigh of accomplishment. It wasn't quite the Christmas feast I had been planning to cook up but it would have to do for now. My bones weighed down my body as I sunk down onto the chair, eyes still drooping with sleep. But the sound of the stairs creaking alerted me that my lovely guest was making his way down for breakfast and energy practically flowed into my muscles.

"Leo, hey," I waved over at him, a wide smile fixing on my face. "Breakfast is ready!"

Leo didn't hear me though. He had his phone clutched to his ear, face increasingly paling at whatever it was that was being said to him. Leo's jaw clenched tightly as he ground his teeth together, and his eyes grew near violent, gaze fixing on the carpeted floor.

"Alright Jessie. I'm on my way."

He ended the call and looked straight up at me, and the smile that crossed his face was no where near genuine this time. I wasn't as paranoid to think that it was because of something I did last night. If there was anything I knew for certain, it was that Leo wanted it to happen but something about that call...something about what Jessie had told him, had set him off.

"What's going on?" I asked, getting to my feet. The screech of wood behind me added by the gentle hand on my shoulder to hold me back from rushing forward told me that dad too had seen it on Leo's face. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on breakfast, Makayla." He stepped forward from the foot of the stairs, extending a hand to my dad which he grasped in a hearty shake. "Thank you so much for letting me be part of your family celebrations Mr. Summers."

"You're always welcome, Leo. But you seem rather upset by something. Are you alright, young man?"

My dad's tone of concern was similar to mine and Leo didn't miss it. Nevertheless, he didn't do anything but nod firmly and glance my way another time.

"I'm fine. I better be off now."

With a final parting smile, Leo set off in the direction of the front door. Dad nodded at me and I immediately followed after him, grabbing his hand just as he set step out onto the snowy porch.

"Hey, wait."

Leo turned halfway, peering at me.

"What's going on? Why are you in a rush? What did Jessie say?"

It was too many questions at once and all Leo could do was hold up his free hand and shake his head 'no' at me.

"I'm afraid I haven't got the time to tell you now, Makayla."

"Can I come with you?"

"You should enjoy your time with your dad." He gave my hand a squeeze before dropping it. I almost reached out to touch him again, but knew better. "I know just how much you've been wanting some family time with him and now you have it. Besides, this doesn't concern you."

That last bit stung a lot more than Leo intended for it to. I think it showed on my face, judging by the flicker of regret that crossed his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

"Yeah, okay."

I took a step back and forced a smile at him. Leo assessed me, the way he always did, before crossing the threshold and pulling me into his arms in a tight hug.

"Last night meant a lot to me, I hope you know that."

If this was his way of distracting me, it was working. I sighed into his chest, hugging him back. Leo relaxed and pressed a long, lingering kiss on the top of my head before breaking away with a closed mouth smile directed at me. I watched as he skipped down my snow-kissed porch and down to the sidewalk, turning back to give me one last wave. I waved back and then with a tiny sigh, re-entered my house.

Whatever was going on, I would find out about it later. For now, I had more important things to focus on. Dad looked up at me as I sauntered back inside our dining hall, plopping down on the chair next to his.

"You okay pumpkin?"

"Perfect," I answered, grinning at him. "Just a little worried."

"About Leo?" my dad sipped his juice and I noticed he hadn't started digging into our breakfast quite yet, waiting for me to join him. Another gesture of just how kind he could be. It was the little things like these that reminded me why I loved him so much.

"Yes but he's a big boy. He'll be fine. There are other babies I have to take care of right now."

"Subtle, darling. Real subtle."

I laughed at the sour look my dad shot me and pushed the plate of properly cooked bacon closer to him, which earned me another dirty glare before dad let out the act and laughed along with me. For the next half hour, I gave him my undivided attention. For the next half hour, I spent Christmas morning with the one man I loved with the entirety of my heart. For the next half hour, I let myself believe that everything was okay.

With the empty, crumb-filled plates left to soak in the sink and the promise of my father to take care of the dishes, I went back to my room. Upon stepping in, the first thing I noticed was the mess of the mattress on the floor which pointed to the memory of last night. A blush rose up on my cheeks at the very thought of it. What was happening to me?

I let out a huff and ran a hand through my dark, knotted hair. I was just about to hop into the shower when my dad reappeared in my doorway, my phone in his hand.

"This thing's been going off like mad since last night. Why'd you leave it downstairs?"

I frowned. I remember Leo snatching my phone and setting it down on the coffee table when we'd been talking about something important. I must have forgotten to take it upstairs with me.

"Thanks dad," I said, catching my phone when he tossed it to me. I smiled when I realized that dad hadn't broken my privacy and read through the messages that my screen displayed but my appreciation fest soon came to an end when I saw just how many I'd gotten this morning in addition to the stream of mixed calls. I read through the recent ones first, all of them sent very early this morning around eight, hours before Leo and I had even woken up. They were all from Amy and Nick.

Is Leo over at your place?

Why aren't both of you picking up your phone?

Do you know where Leo is? Can you wake him up, May? I really need to talk to him. It's urgent.

Babe, if you and Leo don't pick up your phone right now, I'm going to whoop your butts. This is important!

And yet none of the messages told me just what had happened. I streamed through every last one before staring at the screen at a different set of texts. They had been sent last night, or really much earlier this morning. At the time when my phone had been buzzing and Leo had pried it away for me to focus on our discussion. The texts from Damien.

I opened the four messages I'd received, one by one, my heart pounding a little faster in unease with every new word I read.

I know this is weird for you and it's really late but can I come over??

I can't be home right now.

It was the last text that got to me: that one word on my screen that screamed out and induced a worry in my heart that never quite settled again after reading his message.

Please.

--- CHAPTER END ---

Vote goal: 5
Next update: December 11
Dedication: hash__07 for being my biggest motivator behind Act II <3

| Vote | Comment | Share | Follow |